Extreme Off-Roading: Around the World Expedition

As Jeepers, we love a good off-roading story, and this one takes the cake. Hands down, no questions asked.

A few years ago, German adventurist, Matthias Jeschke, planned what may be considered the world’s most extreme road trip. Jeschke and a team set out on a cross-continental trip from Paris to New York, whose purpose is to promote CO2 neutrality and alternative energies.

There was intense planning and preparation on all aspects of the 25,000+ mile road trip, from food prep to the modifications needed on the convoy of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon vehicles. The team had to prepare to take on the world’s toughest terrains and winter conditions, like going across 56 miles of frozen water in Asia (scary!).

Though Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is one of the most capable off-roading vehicles available, these vehicles needed additional equipment to take on the intense cross-continental trip. There were a lot of modifications made to these vehicles and everything from the biofuel engine to the tires were carefully chosen. Here are just a few of the special modifications made to the Jeep vehicles.

Tires

In blog posts that Jeschke made along the trip, he stressed the importance of the special tires that were used on all of the vehicles. Jeschke even went as far as to say that the trip would not have been possible to complete, especially when in the snowy and icy conditions, without the tires.

So what were the tires? The vehicles were fitted with special Goodyear MT/R “swimming” tires. The tires were important because they needed to be capable of going through slushy snow, withstanding deep snow and ice, and safe enough to cross the frozen or unfrozen Bering Strait connecting Russia and Alaska.

Engine

As mentioned, the trip’s purpose is to promote CO2 neutrality and alternative energies. So to accomplish that, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon vehicles were powered by low-emission biofuel and bio oil. In addition to powering the engine, the biodegradable energy resources were used for the axles and the transmissions, too.

Water Capable

Since the Bering Strait was not frozen, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon vehicles were modified to withstand water and were fitted with a unique swimming system that would carry the vehicles through the unfrozen Bering Strait.

In addition to sealing the vehicles up to the windshield, (so water wouldn’t enter the vehicle) and selecting parts that are waterproof, there were some other special pieces added on. The vehicles were equipped with two snorkels and a swimming system with two floats (kind of like pontoons) with a buoyancy force of 7.9 tons.

Other precautions took by the team included packing enough warm clothes to last in an emergency, a first aid kit, lamps, maps, survival suits, and more essential equipment of the sort.

In addition to the customized features mentioned above, Jeschke had an off-road advantage because he did choose a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. The Rubicon already comes ready and built tough for practically any terrain and weather conditions, which is why it is Trail Rated.

There are two off-road systems with the Rubicon that the car owner may choose from. These off-road systems include the Command-Trac and Rock-Trac systems. The Command-Trac system is made to give you more power when off-roading. The system works by directing power to the rear wheels, which allow the front-wheels more control to steer and move freely. The Rock-Trac system allows for more control and more torque. It does so by using a 4:1 low-gear ration to allow for safe and eased rock climbing.

Other than those systems, the Rubicon comes standard with exterior features to protect and help the Jeep when off-road. Features like hill descent control, hill start assist, Dana 44 heavy duty axles, Tru-Lok differentials, a sway bar disconnect system, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires.